After Crossing Over to the Republic of China, I've Become a Heartthrob Chapter 14

Ten-Year Engagement Ends

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It was dinner time when he returned to the Song residence from Han Pu's place.

Shi Yao saw from afar that the main hall was decorated with lights and colours, and there seemed to be some distinguished guests visiting.

It was better to come early than late. Shi Yao was just about to sneak in to enjoy the meal when he bumped into Cai Zhu coming out of the hall.

The two of them exchanged a glance, and Shi Yao said, "Sister Cai Zhu, why is it so lively tonight?"

Cai Zhu looked at him with a hint of sympathy, "Don't you know?"

"What do you mean?"

Cai Zhu wanted to say something, "You will find out later."

"What is it, exactly?"

"It's better if you don't know." After saying this, Cai Zhu, heavily preoccupied, left on her own.

Shi Yao's curiosity was completely aroused, and as soon as he stepped into the hall, he heard a certain man in the main seat say, "In that case, the marriage contract between our two families is settled, kiss up and add relatives!" (Angel: Yi Xi used 亲上加亲, which is an idiom meaning that people who are originally related get married.)

Master Song echoed the sentiment, "Kiss up and add relatives."

Shi Yao thought to himself, who is this marriage proposal for?

Song Liao and himself were already engaged, it couldn't be for Song Yuan, could it?

He raised his eyes and searched the crowd for Song Yuan, and at that moment, he heard Master Song say, "Duheng, why don't you give a toast to your future father-in-law?"

Duheng is Song Liao's courtesy name, isn't it?

Song Liao's father-in-law was, logically, his own father?

But didn't his own father return a long time ago?

So, this meant!

Shi Yao suddenly realised, had he been kicked by the Song family?

Song Liao, Song Liao, Song Liao.

For no apparent reason, his heart suddenly burst into chaos.

Shi Yao stood in the most inconspicuous corner of the hall, surrounded by a joyful and peaceful atmosphere, and met Song Liao's gaze.

He gazed deeply, deeply at himself.

Don't, thought Shi Yao.

Song Liao, don't promise him.

Although we often dislike each other, we are roommates, and you were the first person I met when I came here.

Although I don't like men, you are the one that my body's original owner was obsessed with. You are my fiancé, I am your fiancé, and we are bound by a marriage agreement...

Song Liao withdrew his eyes and made a toast to the man.

The metallic sound of glasses clinking against each other, like a pair of razor sharp knives cutting into the bottom of Shi Yao's heart, declared him out.

It was too absurd.

Shi Yao left the hall and walked down the road into the night, not knowing why he was so lost.

It was the expected ending.

“Young Master Shi, Young Master Shi!"

Someone was calling out to him.

He didn't care.

“Young Master Shi! There's a pond in front of you! Don't..."

With a ‘thud', he crashed into a willow tree by the pond. Shi Yao stopped and looked at Cai Zhu.

Cai Zhu hurriedly pulled him back, "You mustn't kill yourself!"

"Why would I want to kill myself?"

"I know you're upset and won't accept it for a while, I'm upset for you too." Cai Zhu looked at him with tears in her eyes, "I've seen all the years of friendship between you and Master Liao..."

"... So, who is his latest betrothed?"

"The daughter of the Jiang family."

The Jiang family, the head of the four major families of the Republic of China, was a typical political alliance.

Shi Yao sighed softly, "A marriage to a renowned family, a perfect match."

"You're not sad?"

"I'm definitely sad!" Shi Yao pulled off a willow branch and shook off the leaves: "Without Song Liao as my lifelong meal ticket, I'll be living on the streets!"

Cai Zhu looked at Shi Yao in disbelief. She had thought that according to Shi Yao's previous ways, he would cry, make a fuss and hang himself, but to her surprise, the young man in front of her turned around and comforted her by saying, "Look at me, I’ve matured, why are you shedding tears?"

"It's been exactly ten years since your engagement with Young Master Liao was made official." Cai Zhu said mournfully, "I was hoping to see the day when you would be married."

Ten years.

How many decades do people have, Shi Yao wondered.

Shi Yao went back to Song Liao's room and began to pack up his things.

It's better to leave on your own initiative than to be swept off your feet, isn't it?

What would make it worthwhile?

Are there any heirloom gems?

I really wanted to punch Song Liao once!

After tossing and turning on the bed, he caught a glimpse of a pair of blue cufflinks on the bedside table.

It was Song Liao's favourite pair.

That's it!

Shi Yao put the cufflinks away in his pocket, then dug out his own small treasury from under the bed and stuffed the pile of American dollars given to him by Mr. Junde into his school bag.

Then, with his school bag on his back, he went out into the night, under the moonlight, and left the Song residence.

Just as he reached the door, he heard someone call out to him, “Yao'er, where are you going?"

"Song Yuan?" Shi Yao said, "I'm not going anywhere, I'm just strolling around for a while..."

Song Yuan's smile was as gentle as always, “Yao'er, you're really not very good at lying."

"Oh!" Shi Yao's ears reddened, "Don't say it even if you can tell!"

"You're leaving the Song family?"

“Mhmm, you want to stop me?"

"Why should I stop you? I'm quite happy."

"Happy about what?"

"That your connection with him has been severed once and for all." Song Yuan whispered into his ears, "From this night onwards, you will be free."

"Mhmm. Why are you so happy that I am free?"

“Yao'er," Song Yuan laughed helplessly, "I finally know why no girls like you."

"Don't be ridiculous! I am very popular, okay?" Shi Yao said defiantly, "Since primary school, there have been many girls who have had a crush on me!"

Song Yuan took hold of his hand and squeezed it gently, "Okay, our Yao’er is the most popular."

The warmth of his touch tugged at sensitive nerves, and Shi Yao's heart skipped a beat very quickly.

Song Yuan promised next to his ear, "If you need anything, you can come to me anytime at the Nanyang Chamber of Commerce."

"The job is still the same, and the salary is still paid?"

"Of course." Song Yuan asked, "Where are you going to stay tonight?"

"I'm going to find a hotel first and then find a house tomorrow."

"I'll give you a check first, and you can fill in the amount as you wish."

"No need." Shi Yao pointed to his school bag, "I have money!"

After leaving the Song residence, he found a random hotel to stay in.

It was already past midnight, but Shi Yao could not sleep.

He took Song Liao's blue quartz cufflinks out of his pocket and put them on his bed, twirling them around, watching the pins spin, spin...

Shi Yao fell asleep.

He had a dream.

In the dream he lived in a low tiled house, where water dripped and leaked on a rainy day.

There was nothing in the tiled house except an old woman who was close to death, his grandmother.

Although he was not very old, he had already known the pain of separation.

But this time, this time...

Suddenly, there was the roar of a motorcycle and the sound of shoes on the muddy dirt.

Song Liao was wearing a white shirt and a tie, with a light grey suit jacket.

Holding a black umbrella, he extended his hand towards Shi Yao.

On his sleeves, the blue quartz shone brightly, glowing in the darkness.

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Notes

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: June 12, 2023